VOGONS


First post, by Nexxen

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Hi all!

The board is this one, 12MHz variant:
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/leadma … inc-lm-103fs-16
(probably should end -12)


Cpu is running, TURBO ON, 25% slower than rated.
9.45 MHz instead of 12.5 MHz
NPU follows suit.

TURBO OFF, 6.45MHz

Landmark tests indicated Cpu frequency as 6.249 MHz (remeber this one, experts already know what it is by this value alone)


I have 3 frequency sources:

1.) 25 MHz oscillator (cpu) ----> 25 MHz
2.) 14.31... MHz crystal -------> 14.3.. MHz
3.) 32 KHz crystal -----------> 32 KHz

They all check. 100% spot on.

I probed all frequency sources and it was all checking.
Except for this one: pin#123 Hispeed (it determines CLK*2 - i.e. 25MHz speed - or CLK*2 /4 - i.e. 25/4=6.25 or 6.249)
Traced chipset frequency inputs to sources and found that a component wasn't issuing the correct signal, oin 123 should have been high and it was 0.2V (LOW).

Some more tracing and I got to a HD74LS74A (Dual D-type Positive Edge-triggered Flip-Flops), with a LOW output of 0.2V.
More tracing and went to another component, 74F00 (Quad 2-Input NAND Gate), and one of the 2 required inputs that output the 0.2V is connected to a Jumper that can, in real time, set "Hispeed" to CLK*2 or CLK*2 /4.
The jumper must be set shorting to ground to allow a "high" singal to output.

Now all checks perfectly and CPU works at 12.5 MHz as intended.
It was a missing jumper adventure, TRW doesn't have a jumper table, I'll add that later.

- Fin -

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios

Reply 1 of 5, by Nexxen

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Landmark

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios

Reply 2 of 5, by Nexxen

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Removing the jumper halves instantly. "Hispeed" magic 😀
New thing learnt.

Last edited by Nexxen on 2024-11-30, 21:39. Edited 1 time in total.

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios

Reply 3 of 5, by Jo22

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Nexxen wrote on 2024-11-30, 17:35:
I have 3 frequency sources: […]
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I have 3 frequency sources:

1.) 25 MHz oscillator (cpu) ----> 25 MHz
2.) 14.31... MHz crystal -------> 14.3.. MHz
3.) 32 KHz crystal -----------> 32 KHz

They all check. 100% spot on.

32 KHz crystal might be meant for Real-Time Clock. The HM6818P seems to be an RTC chip (with RAM).

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 4 of 5, by Nexxen

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Jo22 wrote on 2024-11-30, 19:24:
Nexxen wrote on 2024-11-30, 17:35:
I have 3 frequency sources: […]
Show full quote

I have 3 frequency sources:

1.) 25 MHz oscillator (cpu) ----> 25 MHz
2.) 14.31... MHz crystal -------> 14.3.. MHz
3.) 32 KHz crystal -----------> 32 KHz

They all check. 100% spot on.

32 KHz crystal might be meant for Real-Time Clock. The HM6818P seems to be an RTC chip (with RAM).

Yes, it is.
Yes, Hm6818 is the RTC. I have a few spares even.
32KH is connected to Pin 2.

BIOS is 2x OTP 256kbit roms.

---
By tinkering with this stuff I'm starting to learn things that might have sped up significantly troubleshooting.

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios

Reply 5 of 5, by Nexxen

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My last question is the reason for this jumper selection, and if other motherboards have it.
Is it for further retrocompatibility??

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

"One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios